Should I Buy This Tacoma

Hi everyone, hope U having a good day!
I have an opportunity of buying this 110.000 miles 2003 Sr5 Trd Tacoma. But I am sceptical about it’s rust. The Owner swaped tge frame through the Toyota and is precticly new. Please give ectra coments on the engine bay rust.
Love ya all!
You can also text me your opinion on my number :907-220-7239.
Ready to pull a plug and make a deal with him on 10-11k

 

I hope you are good working with stuck and stripped bolts. Rust everywhere

 

Is that a TaxaChutstes plate?

hey look, any 20yr vehicle from rust belt is going to be pain to work on bc of rusting/stripping bolts/sheering bolts/finding replacement bolts/PB Blaster expense

But is what it is.

that looks like clean truck and just getting broken in as far as mileage goes

but will be a PITA to work on in future

do this
Press you fist/finger on oil pan
If flexes badly or visable leaks thru the pan’s steel, would have 2nd thoughts

take to trusted mech for inspection always works too

 

Thank you for your replies, big love !
Is it difficult to find the new bolts for the engine bay?
What about the differential, it is also a bit rusted!?
The oil pan has cover on it*
I will try to unscrew some bolts today and take more pictures!
Thank you all, love you so!

 

I would also ask the owner when they had the frame replaced since it has some surface rust on it as well. It might have been replaced 15 years ago ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Looks a bit crusty to me for comfort.

 

I am not a fan of rust. I would pass. Price seems high?!

 

You are going to try and unscrew some bolts on a vehicle you haven't bought? You break it, you buy it. Again, I'd pass at any price.

 

Might be worth like, 3-5k

My frame has never been swapped and looks like that, but I’ve not been in the rust belt.

not worth the hassle. rip tacoma

 

Heck, even his key ring is rusted!

 

I'd say that truck is just over the cusp.
I think it's at the last chance to get real money for it, but used car price insanity is over, prices coming down. That's probably a $7k truck at best.
There is rust everywhere. I'd be curious to see the bed floor from below the truck.
The inside of the truck frame is going to be rustier than the outside. The winter brine gets in there, but clearly that owner let it sit. If he didn't keep after what you can see he didn't keep after what you can't see (inside the frame).
Underneath - that's a $5k truck in MA. But the topside looks pretty and it's both a 4door & an automatic which seem to demand a premium right now. so I'd guess it's a $7k truck in MA if you're in Eastern MA or maybe around Worcester.

If you do buy it, get the underside Fluid Filmed/Wool Waxed/or similar. You can't fix or stop that rust, but you can slow it down.

Consider also - You could buy the same truck without the rust in the south which is only an air ticket away - what, $200/$300?

You mentioned the skid plate that is blocking your access to the oil pan. If you lower the skid plate, take a look at it to see what/how much has leaked onto it & also how rusty is it?

Why all the concerns about the rust? Because rust makes it harder to maintain the truck. It makes parts break. You just can't stop it's growth when it's as pervasive as it is on that truck.

Good luck however your proceed. You will enjoy it if you buy it, but that one will cost you a bit more to own than one with less rust. Be aware he is asking TOP dollar.

 

If tacomas were pizza, that truck would be extra crusty. Kind of like when you burn the take home pizzas in the oven...you know...the outside crust gets black... that crusty.

 

"Pull the Plug" in this case has a different meaning. I get the feeling the potential buyer posting the question is in both feet already.

 

Pass

 

OP
How about this:
In TX, Vin# has to match
Both frame and body
In fact, there are hidden Vin#’s (on frame) that only NICB know about.
(I’m insurance adjuster on 24th yr same company)
What I’m saying is(I know TX but all states have own rules)
If vin# doesn’t match
You ‘legally’ need a different type of title
Branded/salvaged/rebuilt…..whatever

maybe knock down price few G’s if seller starts crawfishing after u ask.
Do your homework too
Call or better, schlep inline at DMV, be nice to old lady behind the glass and just ask if it’s a legal sale without ‘updated’ title

 

Nope. 110 miles is low for a 20 year old truck though. That's only like 5-6 miles a year, a very hard 5-6 miles per year.

 

Hehe funny he even got the odo to roll exactly on 110, to the accuracy of 3 significant digits (idk im not a scientist)